PLATTSBURGH -- Jeremy Tennian wants to design golf courses someday.

Today, he's building himself a new school.

"First, we looked at the way the school is built and how inefficient it is in some areas," said the AuSable Valley Central School junior.

He and other students presented building plans this week to school officials and representatives of SEI design group, the Albany-based architectural firm hired by the district to design a renovation project funded through EXCEL aid. High School students in Alta Jo Longware's architectural class did this as part of their final project and exam.

"It was a great opportunity for my students," Longware said.

SOUGHT INPUT

Last year, voters approved the renovation project, which includes work district-wide, including technology upgrades, new classrooms, health-and-safety items and security improvements.

New York state provided school districts with EXCEL aid to offset the taxpayer share of construction costs.

"I was trying to come up with ways to incorporate meaningful student input into the planning and design of the EXCEL project renovations at the Middle/High School," Marlow said.

She turned to Longware, who thought the project would be perfect for her architectural students.

Armed with a project overview and blueprints, students spoke with stakeholders to glean individual needs and wants, centered on themes such as increased natural lighting, improved traffic flow, better utilization of space and increased access to outdoor spaces.

Students spent three months on designs and created final proposals, which they presented to the architectural firm and district administrative team.

Proposals included designs on a senior lounge, secure entrance, library/audio media center, school store, front office and modern cafeteria.

SENIOR LOUNGE

"A lot of starting the project was going around and taking measurements to see what we had to work with," said senior Nathan Stafford.